Gaylord St. Patrick's Day parade to step off March 12

March 04, 2011|Lorene Parshall, Staff Writer

GAYLORD — Gaylord’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade will take place Saturday, March 12. Floats, members of the local police, fire and EMS/Rescue departments and other participants will assemble on Michigan Avenue (beside Ben Franklin) at 11:30 a.m.

The parade will proceed down Main Street at noon, turning at Center Avenue to end up at the Community Center. A free St. Patrick’s Day Community Luncheon will be provided at the Community Center. Everyone is welcome.

Preceding the parade at 9:30 a.m. will be a St. Patrick’s Day breakfast at Timothy’s Pub, 110 S. Otsego Ave. Breakfast is free for the parade marshal, but everyone else will be charged. There will be three choices for breakfast, including corn beef hash, offered for the first time since the parades began.

“This year’s parade marshal will be Ray Gilmore, a long-time employee of Glen’s Market and a honorary member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians,” said Mike Reling, a popular radio personality on Eagle 101.5 FM. “Ray’s’s done a lot of good things for the community.”

Gilmore, known by his friends as “Gilly,” is a Gaylord native and Vietnam veteran. He has worked for Glen’s for 45 years in various locations in Northern Michigan. The last 10 were spent in Gaylord. Among his volunteer endeavors are Gus Macker basketball tournaments and various Hibernian activities. He also has been a member of Rotary and the Eagles Club.

He seems to be a true son of Ireland. Those calling his home will hear a variety of eloquent Irish proverbs on his answering machine. The latest is:

“Remember to always forget the troubles that have passed away, but remember to remember the blessings of each day.”

Gilmore intends to wear the new leprechaun outfit his sister made for him to the parade. According to him, his 25-year-old leprechaun costume shrank after hanging in the closet for a few years. He said he has an identical twin, “Gilly 2,” who will be coming to town for the parade.

Radio broadcaster Reling is the one who came up with the idea for the first Gaylord St. Patrick’s Day Parade 11 years ago. He and the radio station have sponsored it ever since with the help of a few friends in the community.

“Timothy’s Pub is donating the Irish stew,” Reling said. “Sav-A-Lot is providing soft drinks and candy and hot beverages will come from Big Bear Deli. It will all be over by about 1 p.m., so people will have the rest of their Saturday free.”